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A new system software update for the PS4 will open the range of options for compatible headsets for the console, Sony announced. Firmware version 1.60 will add support for Sony's Pulse and Pulse Elite Edition wireless stereo headsets for PS3, which feature 7.1 virtual surround sound and voice chat. The update is expected to land "late tonight."

Sony also mentioned that its next PS4 and Vita-compatible headset, the Gold Wireless Headset, will arrive early this month for $99. The headset also includes 7.1 virtual surround sound in addition to "custom sound profiles" created by PlayStation developers. One of the developers to optimize a sound profile for the headset is Infamous: Second Son creators Sucker Punch. Sony will offer a Headset Companion App on PS4 for free, so players with either Pulse headset can access the sound profiles.

Sony's description of the Gold Wireless Headset notes that it uses a wireless adapter, which makes sense given the PS4's limited recognition of bluetooth devices. It also includes a folding design and customizable face plates, which is pretty nifty.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriesgaming-headsetgold-wireless-headsethardwareheadsetsplaystationplaystation-vitaps4Pulsepulse-elite-editionsceaSONYvitaMon, 03 Feb 2014 09:31:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/pulse-a-game-where-sound-reveals-the-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/pulse-a-game-where-sound-reveals-the-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/pulse-a-game-where-sound-reveals-the-world/#commentsWe like Pulse, an independent project and IGF finalist from Team Pixel Pi, for a couple of reasons. One, the main character is blind, and the only way to reveal the world around him is through sound. Two, the primary way to create these sounds is to throw adorable critters called Mokos around the environment.

As has been proven before, there are few things more satisfying than flinging adorable critters against solid objects. Doing so "illuminates" the world, so to speak, giving the player an idea of their surroundings. It's pretty neat, but you don't have to take our word for it, as a free prototype is available now for both Windows and Mac. We should also mention that, occasionally, you feed Mokos to slavering monsters (only out of necessity, of course).

Team PixelPi is currently seeking funding for Pulse on Kickstarter, with the ultimate goal of $75,000. The game will be on display at the IGF Pavillion at GDC, and you can bet we'll be checking it out.

The Walking Dead's game adaptation from Telltale managed more than a shambling start as well, taking up two spots on the top 10 with the season pass and first episode in third and fifth place, respectively. Just one Vita title landed on the list, Escape Plan, in the number 10 spot. All of this information - and more! - can be found in the latest PlayStation "Pulse" video, which we've dropped just below the break.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>escape-plani-am-alivejourneyplaystationplaystation-networkplaystation-vitaps3psnpulsetelltale-gamesthat-game-companythatgamecompanythe-walking-deadtop-10ubisoftvitaWed, 09 May 2012 12:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/auditorium-2-duet-multiplayer-wants-you-to-make-sweet-harmonies/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/auditorium-2-duet-multiplayer-wants-you-to-make-sweet-harmonies/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/auditorium-2-duet-multiplayer-wants-you-to-make-sweet-harmonies/#commentsIndie studio Cipher Prime has launched a Kickstarter project for Auditorium 2: Duet, the sequel to 2008's rhythm-physics title Auditorium, which is celebrating its debut on Steam today. Duet aims to be a polished playground built on the experience Cipher Prime has gained developing Auditorium, Pulse and Fractal over the past three years, but its most exciting feature is something none of the developers have attempted before -- multiplayer.

"When we first started our studio we were very nervous," Cipher Prime's Will Stallwood told Joystiq in an exclusive interview. "We created Auditorium by accident and had little game design experience. We've spent the past three years honing our skills so we could tackle multiplayer.

"Auditorium has been our playground since the day we started, so the only logical step is to keep her as our playground," Stallwood adds, unknowingly outing Auditorium as a female game, for those of you keeping score.

Auditorium 2: Duet will be optimized for two-player gameplay, and Cipher Prime will be testing it as a local feature to start, with tentative plans -- more like vehement wishes -- to include PS3/Steam and iPad/Steam crossplay functions down the line.

Actually, they may want to do that -- because hello, Ferraris -- but that's not where their current focus lies. Cipher Prime wants to make a sequel to its first title Auditorium, titled Auditorium 2: Duet, and has turned to Kickstarter to crowdsource a portion of its budget.

Cipher Prime is the conductor behind a trio of ambient, subtly beautiful, rhythm-based brain busters. After launching the originally Flash-based Auditorium in 2008, the developer orchestrated two follow-up titles: Pulse and Fractal. Since then Auditorium has been ported to iOS, PS3, Xbox 360 and PSP, and today marks its launch on Steam -- and, Stallwood hopes, the launch of its sequel's development.

Speaking exclusively with Joystiq, Cipher Prime's Will Stallwood says development of Auditorium 2: Duetwill only take place if the team manages to hit its sizable Kickstarter goal of $60,000. According to the developer, the goal represents half of what the team needs to complete the project, with Cipher Prime contributing the other half of necessary funds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Auditoriumauditorium-2-duetauditorium-duetcipher-primeDain-Saintfractaliosipadiphonekickstartermicrosoftmobilemultiplayerpcplaystationps3pspPulsesonyWill-StallwoodxboxTue, 28 Feb 2012 11:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/get-pulse-on-ipad-for-1-99-through-august-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/get-pulse-on-ipad-for-1-99-through-august-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/get-pulse-on-ipad-for-1-99-through-august-10/#commentsAuditoriumdeveloper Cipher Prime released Pulseon iPad back in May and has since enjoyed 12 consecutive weeks in the top 10 iPad music game charts. To celebrate this success, Cipher Prime has slashed the price of Pulse: Volume One down to $1.99 through Wednesday, August 10 -- a 60 percent saving off its usual asking price of $4.99. [Update: The deal has been extended and will now conclude on Friday, August 12.]

We'd never dare tell you what to do with your money, but we can think of worse ways to spend a couple bucks. Did you really need that comb that looks like a switchblade? Okay, definitely, but you get the point.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cipher-primeipadmobilepulsepulse-volume-oneFri, 05 Aug 2011 02:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/pulse-from-makers-of-auditorium-now-on-ipad/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/pulse-from-makers-of-auditorium-now-on-ipad/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/pulse-from-makers-of-auditorium-now-on-ipad/#comments
The lovely, addictive Auditorium is a big favorite at Joystiq HQ, and developer Cipher Prime has just delivered an equally enjoyable follow-up, Pulse: Volume One, a new rhythm game for iPad. It's unsurprisingly tough to describe, but if you like tapping screens in time with music as you simultaneously create lovely visuals, we imagine you're really going to enjoy it.

If you're a little nervous about parting with $5 sight unseen, we've got a gallery of screens and a promo code for one of you just after the break.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auditoriumcipher-primeiosipadmobilepulsepulse-volume-oneThu, 05 May 2011 19:35:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/angry-birds-is-top-psn-download-in-january-mass-effect-2-comes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/angry-birds-is-top-psn-download-in-january-mass-effect-2-comes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/angry-birds-is-top-psn-download-in-january-mass-effect-2-comes/#comments
No wonder developers are jumping ship to Rovio: it's flooded with money. Angry Birds has managed to perch itself atop not only the iOS and Android marketplaces, but it has claimed the top spot on the PlayStation Store as well. Released as a mini, the port works on both PS3 and PSP, which undoubtedly helped its sales. The rest of the top 10 for January include:

Angry Birds

Tetris

X-Men

Pac-Man Championship Edition DX

Final Fantasy VII

Wheel of Fortune

Marvel vs Capcom 2

Mass Effect 2

Castle Crashers

Risk Factions

Mass Effect 2 is a surprising addition to the top downloads list, considering it is a full $60 game. Perhaps the success of Bioware's RPG will cause more publishers to consider releasing full retail games via the PlayStation Store?

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry-birdsplaystationps3psnpsn-monthlypsppulsesalessonyTue, 08 Feb 2011 16:20:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/20/final-fantasy-and-tetris-top-psps-sales-charts-for-2010-so-far/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/20/final-fantasy-and-tetris-top-psps-sales-charts-for-2010-so-far/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/20/final-fantasy-and-tetris-top-psps-sales-charts-for-2010-so-far/#comments
The latest episode of PlayStation Network's Pulse revealed the top ten downloaded PSP games for 2010 so far. Perhaps it should come as no surprise that Square Enix's classic PSone RPGs have topped the list in the first quarter of the year. Only one mini makes it into the top 10: Tetris, whose steep $10 price tag apparently hasn't scared everyone away.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstation-networkpsnpsn-monthlypulsesalesSat, 20 Mar 2010 00:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/17/dissidia-demo-expected-july-23/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/17/dissidia-demo-expected-july-23/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/17/dissidia-demo-expected-july-23/#comments
Have you seen the latest episode of Pulse, the fortnightly PSN content highlight video? If so, you will have noticed that a demo for Square Enix's next PSP release, Dissidia: Final Fantasy, will be available to download on July 23. That's the expected release date, at least, but don't be surprised if it slips back down the slippery slope leading to the PSN servers. It wouldn't be the first time.

For many of us this will be the first time to see how the game actually works, as screenshots and videos have shown nothing more than a lot of mindless mid-air hacking and slashing. For a game which apparently lasts for over 40 hours, there's got to be a little more to it than that.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demoDissidiaDissidia-Final-FantasyFightingFinal-FantasypsnpulseSquare-EnixFri, 17 Jul 2009 11:38:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/25/pulse-resident-evil-5-and-family-guy-top-psn-downloads/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/25/pulse-resident-evil-5-and-family-guy-top-psn-downloads/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/25/pulse-resident-evil-5-and-family-guy-top-psn-downloads/#comments
What are PlayStation fans downloading these days? Resident Evil 5 tops the free game demos of 2009 so far, beating out the PS3-exclusive Killzone 2. What's up PS3 owners? You don't want to check out the best looking game on the system?

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>family-guypsnpulseresident-evil-5Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/top-10-psn-games-and-movies-for-january-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/top-10-psn-games-and-movies-for-january-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/top-10-psn-games-and-movies-for-january-2009/#comments
This week's episode of Pulse (available on the PlayStation Store) revealed the top 10 games and movies downloaded off the PlayStation Store for January 2009:

Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix

Mortal Kombat II

Magic Ball

Cuboid

JEOPARDY!

Linger in Shadows

Crash Commando

PAIN

LUMINES Supernova

High Velocity Bowling

It appears fighting games are what PS3 players want. The PSN versions of the classic 2D fighters, Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat II take the top spots this month. We're glad to see that both Magic Ball and Cuboid are doing well -- these indie developers went exclusively to the PlayStation Network, and their casual games are doing quite well.

PlayStation.com's Pulse program has revealed* PSN's "overall" most downloaded games of 2008. Now, before cursing the heavens that PAIN is at the top of the list, PS3 Fanboy is quick to point out that the game was free with the Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 bundle earlier this year.

The list is still packed with surprises, especially with the performance of High Velocity Bowling and Aquatopia. It's good to see that PixelJunk Monsters did well, but where's Eden? WipEout HD's absence is also noticeable. We'd definitely like to see Pulse do this as a monthly feature.

*Copied list after the break for our mobile users who may not be able to read the image.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>painPS3psnpsn-storepulsesonyFri, 19 Dec 2008 14:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/pain-is-the-most-downloaded-game-on-psn-in-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/pain-is-the-most-downloaded-game-on-psn-in-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/pain-is-the-most-downloaded-game-on-psn-in-2008/#comments
The latest episode of Pulse reveals the top PSN game downloads of 2008. At the top of the list is Idol Minds' PAIN. This isn't too surprising, considering it was included for free with the Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 bundle earlier this year. However, we're surprised to see how well High Velocity Bowling has done. Other surprises include Aquatopia and High Stakes Poker.

Do you think the top 10 list is missing any games? We certainly think so. Where's WipEout HD? Although it's a PSP remake, we think it's an incredible value.

If you find yourself wishing there was a dedicated news source to keep you abreast of the latest releases on the PlayStation Network, then you're probably not the most attentive person in the world. Seriously, between Sony's pay-per-view "interactive magazine" Qore, and our very own Blu-ray-lovin' sister site, you should know about these things before they cross Kaz Hirai's desk.

If you find yourself with a profound, unquenchable thirst for PSN info, Sony recently unveiled yet another news source from which to drink -- a biweekly (see: every other week), five-minute program titled Pulse. These updates, which are hosted by Christina Lee, will only air on PlayStation.com -- which makes sense, we guess. If it aired on the PlayStation Network, it would have to report about itself, creating an infinite feedback loop which would effectively turn your PS3 into a sentient killing machine.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christina-leeps3pulseqoresonyMon, 08 Dec 2008 12:56:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/05/pulse-highlights-new-playstation-network-additions/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/05/pulse-highlights-new-playstation-network-additions/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/05/pulse-highlights-new-playstation-network-additions/#comments
Having trouble keeping up with all the new content on the PlayStation Network? Probably not, considering you read our site. Regardless, Sony is starting a new service called PULSE which plans on providing bi-weekly updates on the latest Blu-ray and PlayStation Network releases. PULSE will be available every other week on PlayStation.com. Click the link to check out the very first episode.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pulseFri, 05 Dec 2008 23:50:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/02/diy-mod-adds-some-awesome-pulsating-lights-to-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/02/diy-mod-adds-some-awesome-pulsating-lights-to-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/02/diy-mod-adds-some-awesome-pulsating-lights-to-the-wii/#commentsOh, to have a Wii console such as this. Maybe it's unnecessary to do such a thing to your Wii, considering its sleek, simple white look is one of the things we love about it. Then again, it would be kind of cool to show off to others, like "look at me, I'm pretty awesome at doing stuff." And, really, case mods never get old, even if the system is almost ancient.